Interview with Devin Green of the LA D-Fenders

With the 7th pick in the 2006 NBDL draft the Los Angeles D-Fenders took Hampton guard/forward Devin Green. Devin spent the 2005-2006 NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers and competed heavily for a roster spot on the 2006-2007 club during training camp. The Lakers were unable to free up a roster spot unfortunately, but made a point of picking Devin up the first chance they got for their NBDL club. After dropping 25 points, 7 boards and 6 assists Friday night Devin sat down with me to talk about how he got to where he is and where hes heading from here.

Richard Walker: You scored 25 tonight, I believe. It seems like youre adjusting pretty well to the NBDL style, how do you feel thats coming along?

Devin Green: I think Im starting to get my game rhythm back. I havent played a game since the Summer League, so just getting into that game time rhythm is really important. But I just go out there and play hard and try and find the rhythm of the game.

Richard Walker: Is it much of a lifestyle difference in the transition from the NBA to the NBDL? Can you tell me a little about what your schedule is like; do you guys practice the same amount?

Devin Green: Yeah, its the same amount of practicing. I mean, pretty much the only thing thats different is the money and the talent. Were all trying to get that that level of course, but the money and talent is different. But as far as practicing and playing games, playing back-to-backs  oh yeah, the travel is a little different.

Richard Walker: How do you travel?

Devin Green: We travel commercial flights, so we dont get the luxurious plane owned by the team. You just go through the back door and dont have to worry about going through the airport.

Richard Walker: What about as far as accommodations and stuff like that go?

Devin Green: You know, this teams very fortunate because we come from a top notch organization. I think for a D-League team they treat us very well. We get food and stuff after the game. I cant say if theres many other teams that do that. As far as the hotel, its just somewhere to sleep. You just got to go through these hard knocks and take it.

Richard Walker: Let me ask you about the end of training camp with the Lakers: at the end there you were kind of on the bubble (are they going to buyout McKie? are they going to keep you around? are they going to keep Pinnock?). What was the feedback you were getting?

Devin Green: I got the same thing that everybody else was getting. You never really know whats going on up in that office. So you just got to go out and play hard every day and continue to do your job.

Richard Walker: So when you didnt make the team what made you decide to go the NBDL route? That you werent going to Europe or wherever?

Devin Green: Well, I actually talked to [assistant coach] Chucky [Brown], [head] coach [Dan] Panaggio and [Lakers General Manager] Mitch [Kupchak] and I really looked at overseas, but they explained to me that if I was still around for the seventh pick that they would pick me up. I could stay here, keep my stuff here, I didnt have to move, and I could stay around the family. Plus this being the inaugural season for the D-Fenders, and for the NBA really with the Los Angeles Lakers being the first team to own a D-League team.

Richard Walker: Did they give you anything specific you need to work on to get a call-up later on?

Devin Green: You can always improve on your shooting. But I think with myself, Im a rhythm type of player. I think playing games for me is the best thing for me right now to find my shot. You have to have game time experience to really pinpoint your jumper.

Richard Walker: Are you getting any feedback as far as getting a call-up later in the year? Not necessarily with the Lakers, but any of the teams?

Devin Green: You know, I hear stuff, but you have to take it with a grain of salt until somebody puts something on some paper. Im just going to keep playing, keep playing hard, keep my head up, and keep my guard up.

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